"Runaway" is the debut single by the Irish family band The Corrs. It was released in September 1995 and had middling chart success except in Ireland and Australia, peaking at number 10 in both countries. It was also a big adult contemporary hit in Canada, reaching number two on the RPMAdult Contemporary Tracks chart. On the UK Singles Chart, it originally reached number 49, but a re-release in 1999 saw the single reach a new peak of number two on the same chart.
Background and composition
The song was written by Andrea Corr, Sharon Corr and Caroline Corr. Andrea has said the first time she sang it in front of her parents, she was embarrassed because of the line "make love to me through the night". She noted that she knew her mother would be thinking "where did she learn that?!" The song has a subtle key change. It is written in F major, but towards the end, the fourth gets augmented, so the key changes to lydian mode. Rhythmically, a similar change happens in the drums, which play a slow 6/8th at first. In the end, a snare drum is played on the 2-eh and 5-eh, which makes a double-time feel.
Music video
The video for "Runaway" was directed by Randee St. Nicholas, and was shot in Dublin, featuring locations such as Phoenix Park. The video is shot mostly in black-and-white with flashes of colour in certain scenes. The video follows the band as they sing and perform on several locations, including a forest and train station platform. The video begins with Andrea on a train, looking out the window and singing, and ends with her getting off the train and running towards the camera.
Track listing
The US version contained short previews of the then-forthcoming album Forgiven, Not Forgotten.
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
Remix version
The song was re-released in 1999, remixed by Tin Tin Out, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart, held from the top by Britney Spears's debut single "...Baby One More Time".
Track listing
Music video
Dani Jacob's fourth Corrs video is, similar to "Love to Love You", compiled of backstage and concert footage; this time from one single gig at the Manchester Evening News Arena on 1 February 1999. It also includes a few scenes of the band in the recording studio with Tin Tin Out working on the remixed version of the song. Footage of the band walking through the corridor to the stage was later used for the intro for the rest of their concerts from 1999 to 2001.
